Kito declines manager job

Former state legislator Sam Kito III turned down the job of Skagway borough manager just days after he

was offered the position.

On Feb. 7, the borough assembly voted 4-1 to offer the job to Kito. On Feb. 15, KINY radio in Juneau reported that Kito had accepted a job at the University of Alaska Southeast. Kito told the radio station that traveling to Skagway was one of the issues that weighed in his decision.

Kito did not respond to requests for comment from The Skagway News.

The three-term state House member represented Skagway, Haines, Klukwan, Gustavus, downtown Juneau and Douglas. He did not seek re-election in 2018.

Kito was one of the three finalists for the Skagway job; the borough brought all three to town for interviews.

David Milliron, a city manager from Hogansville, Georgia, population about 3,100, and Jack Ardaugh, a private attorney in Chicago, were the other finalists for the position.

The manager selection is on the agenda for the borough assembly’s Feb. 21 meeting. The meeting starts at 7 p.m., with the manager discussion scheduled for an executive session